To think most stereotypes are based on some truth

[lesley33]

AIBU to think that if there is a stereotype about a group of people there is usually a nugget of truth there, even if that nugget of truth is out of date?

For example, there has for a long time been a stereotype that women are worse drivers than men. I don't think that is true now, but I think 30-40 years ago, in general, women were worse drivers than men. I think this was for the simple reason that very few families had more than 1 car. Usually the man drove the car most of the time - to work, family outings, etc. Women in general drove far less than men, so obviously weren't as experienced and this made women in general worse drivers.

And I know this is an in general thing. There will have been individual women 40 years ago who were better drivers than most men.
So AIBU?

[TrillianAstra]

I agree with WassaAxolotl

It's important to know where stereotypes came from so you can refute them more effectively.

They don't necessarily have truth in them, but they did come from somewhere. They weren't made upo ut of nothing.

[GabbyLoggon]

yes, Lesley, they are based on some truth.

we are a diverse lot. No steryotypical mumsnetter

[OTheHugeManatee]

On balance I see where you're coming from, Laurie.

Politically, though, this is interesting territory. Who decides, for example, which groups have enough power to fend for themselves, and which groups need protecting?

[WassaAxolotl]

The meeja?

More seriously, I think we all have an individual sense of where the line is; which groups we think are vulnerable after hearing/reading of discrimination or even experiencing discrimination.

[WassaAxolotl]

Personally, I try to refrain from stereotyping, full stop, obviously, but there's forms I regard as worse than other forms.

[OliPolly]

OP - You are talking shite!

YABU.

I would like you to explain the stereotype about black people.

[lesley33]

Olipolly First I said most stereotypes not all. But tell me what stereotypes you want me to explain and if I can I will.

[Newjobthankgod]

I am italian american, originally from the New Jersey area. All the stereotypes about us are true true true.

[Newjobthankgod]

and I love guido jokes.

[OliPolly]

the 5Ds

?dumb, deprived, dangerous, deviant, and disturbed?

[RunnerHasbeen]

I think the reason that some stereotypes are treated as jokes and others are dangerous is to do with power but also history. A gay person can make a joke at a straight person's expense more easily than vice versa because to poke fun at people for being gay is too close to condoning the way they have been treated historically. Gay people have never killed, imprisoned and abused people for being heterosexual, so they can makes jokes without it being too close to the bone, IYSWIM.

[capricorn76]

Well the fact that insurance for female drivers is often lower than for men and that it's far easier to sell a car if you put 'only one lady owner' in the ad shows that the stereotype that men are better drivers than women is BS started by silly men who want to put women down. Most stereotypes are based on prejudice not facts,

[lesley33]

I think woman used to be worse drivers than men, but are now safer than male drivers.

[EvenLessNarkyPuffin]

What a surprise that you started a thread like this.

[beesimo]

I am sorry to say after my short time on MNnet I have been revealed to myself as a stereotype of a northern farm Mam.

CHILDCARE

Get this room squared up now!
Why haven't you got your hat on!
My bairns eat what their given!
No back answering your Mam!
Mind out the wind will change and your face will stay like that!
Stop bloody whinging!
Nobody died of hard work put your back into it!
Over my dead body!
Do you want a clip!


DH is a sterotypically farmer as well

Actually I'm not sorry at all in fact I'm very proud of living up to my cultural heritage!

[Bonsoir]

I am in love with stereotyping . All so, so true!

[Bonsoir]

Am particularly interested in the stereotypical Jewish Princess and how she morphs into a stereotypical Jewish Momma when her eldest child is 7/8...

[capricorn76]

I have free will and don't act a certain way because I belong to a certain group. Saying someone will probably behave like X because they are from the X community is as relevant as saying all Capricorns have the same character traits. I don't believe in astrology and I don't listen to stereotypes. We are not hive-minded borg people.

[OTheHugeManatee]

Perhaps a good rule of thumb for stereotypes would be: does the group that's being stereotyped makes the same generalisations about themselves?

I find it hard to believe that Irish people make jokes about how thick they are, but the camp gay man is as familiar a stereotype to the gay men I know as anyone else.

[TondelayoSchwarzkopf]

Agree with scurryfunge and others. YABU

Stereotypes are creations of the dominant group to justify their behaviour towards minorities. 18th & 19th century depictions of African people all emphasise muscularity / sensuality / animality - culturally used to justify slavery.

Stereotypes of women - technical incompetence, compassion, emotional capability - to keep women in their traditional roles.

Even today - Thai and Filipino women are sensual / sexually adventurous - to justify sex tourism. African-American men are good at sport - so don't worry about educational opportunities for young black men.

When you are minority that has been brought up with these stereotypes it's not surprising you internalise the values of the dominant group. Gay men who want to meet other gay men sometimes do adopt certain stereotypical traits to identify themselves. As a woman I'm guilty of playing up to the girly-girl to get a job done.

So in fact I guess the reverse is true. Stereotyping creates powerful archetypes in the culture and when you are immersed in them, it's difficult to avoid adopting or playing up to them.

[MillyR]

What is the stereotypical white person like then?

[DuplicitousBitch]

white people

[TattyDevine]

Whilst I agree that sterotypes in many cases are borne of grains of truth, but often they are selective truths - people tend to gossip about the bad not the good, for instance - people tend to complain about the bad, but not praise the good - etc etc. So apply that principle to how stereotypes come about and its no wonder they are often so negative.

That said, perception is reality, to an extent - therefore, if a "group" never displayed particular traits, characteristics or preferences in a group sense or in an obvious way, they would be unlikely to come about.

I just dont think its ever fair, though, to sterotype an entire race of people. Its too vast.

Stereotypes cannot be all encompassing like that.

Of the stereotypes I've had applied to me, many are borne from just perception. Many dont end up applying for me anyway...

[OliPolly]

This thread is vile and I am off.

I was hoping OP would answer my questions

[TondelayoSchwarzkopf]

I love that site DuplicitousBitch!